Posted on 08/25/2025 11:35:57 AM PDT by Red Badger
Whelp maybe those DEI rollbacks weren’t a great idea. Target has officially announced a major leadership shake-up, confirming that CEO Brian Cornell will step down from his position and transition into the role of executive chair of the Board of Directors. His successor will be the company’s current chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke, who will take over as chief executive by February 2026.
The decision was revealed in a company statement on Wednesday, August 20, with the Board of Directors unanimously backing Fiddelke. Before becoming COO, he served as chief financial officer and is seen by the Board as the right leader to guide Target through turbulent times and steer it back toward growth.
In his first comments about the new role, Fiddelke expressed gratitude while also recognizing the challenges ahead. “It is truly an honor to be named Target’s next chief executive officer […] I am eager to refocus our strategy and build on the assets and capabilities that have made Target a beloved destination for incredible products and a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. And to be clear, we have work to do to reach our full potential. Now’s the time to take full advantage of our strengths, embrace change with pace and purpose, and regain our momentum.”
This leadership change comes at a moment when Target is dealing with both economic pressures and public criticism. The retail giant continues to face boycotts following its decision to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Sales dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2025, a decline Target attributes to tariffs and wider economic struggles.
The company also faced backlash in 2024 after reducing its LGBTQ+ Pride collection, a move that fueled debate across its customer base. Addressing the wave of criticism, Fiddelke told Bloomberg, “There are no shortage of critics out there today. The way to prove those critics wrong is with action that leads to results.”
As Target prepares for this leadership transition, all eyes are on Fiddelke to see whether he can deliver the turnaround that both Wall Street and everyday shoppers are waiting for.
Our Target is way across town so we never shopped there anyways.............
Well at least it’s a white male. I wonder if he’s straight.
They think the problem is the customer, not themselves............
8~)
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